NEWS COPY
By Emma Elsworthy
Sausage and mash, steak pie and beef roast dinner are among the evening meals - enjoyed by DOGS, according to a survey.
Researchers looking into the dietary habits of the nation’s canines have revealed the top 20 list of ‘dog’s dinners’ – ones which are meant to be enjoyed by humans but which regularly find their way into the dog’s bowl.
Meals such as shepherd’s pie, Spaghetti Bolognese and beans on toast are also frequently served up to dogs up and down the UK.
Other pooches have tried gammon with egg and chips, chicken stir fry and pizza in addition to their usual diet of dog food, the poll found.
The study of 1,500 dog owners shows just under three in 10 often give their pet human meals in place of their typical tucker, while 40 per cent top up their normal meal with the family leftovers.
Hannah Edwards, Senior Marketing Manager for Freshpet, which carried out the research via OnePoll.com said: “We know there is a tendency for dog owners to humanise their pets, and this study certainly reinforces that trend.
“So central are dogs to a family’s life, they’re now being included in mealtimes and in some cases even sitting down to dinner with the family!
“However, while it is lovely to see owners care for their pets, they should always show cautions when sharing leftovers.
“It is thought around 40 per cent of the UK’s dogs and cats are obese and this is growing to out of control proportions and obese pets run the risk of having the same health concerns as obese humans.
“Also, there are so many human foods which can be harmful to dogs – for example gravy on a dog’s roast dinner has a high salt content and the tomatoes used in Spaghetti Bolognese are toxic to dogs”
The study shows 42 per cent of dogs eat at the same time as their owner, with 33 per cent even sitting next to the dinner table.
Almost half of dog owners would go as far to say their pet often eats better than they do – with 33 per cent cooking separate meals for their pets.
In addition to enjoying meals such as lasagne and chicken tikka masala, almost one in 10 dogs are lucky enough to have their food served up on a proper dinner plate.
A further four in 10 are even fortunate enough to have a splash of gravy to accompany their cottage pie or fish and chips.
Unfortunately the study shows on occasion, owners go one step too far – as one third admit to sometimes feeding their dog foods they know they shouldn’t.
Popular foods which AREN’T meant to be consumed by dogs include chocolate (41 per cent), cheese (56 per cent) and bacon (47 per cent).
Some dogs are also fed bread (36 per cent), milk (32 per cent) and nuts (10 per cent).
And 39 per cent of owners admit they rarely check the ingredients on the food they’re giving their dogs.
Researchers also looked into the eating habits of the nation’s CATS – polling 500 cat owners to find out if they also treat their feline friend well.
The study found that while cats are less likely to be humanised, a fifth have been fed some beef roast and 19 per cent have enjoyed a little bit of fish pie.
One in 10 cats have sampled cottage pie, while eight per cent of owners have given their cat a bit of chicken stir fry.
Hannah Edwards, Senior Marketing Manager for Freshpet meals, which provide pets with all their nutritional needs, continues: “More than half of cat owners and nearly four in 10 dog owners don’t check the ingredients on the foods they are giving their pet.
“Responsible pet owners should be buying properly prepared natural pet foods which are designed to provide a completely balanced meal high in protein and vegetables with no artificial ingredients, rather than supplementing their dog or cat’s diet with human meals.”
TOP 20 FAVOURITE DOG’S DINNERS:
1. Beef roast dinner - 38.87%
2. Sausage and mash - 28.20%
3. Steak pie - 26.73%
4. Steak and chips - 25.47%
5. Shepherd's pie - 22.07%
6. Cottage pie - 21%
7. Fish and chips - 18%
8. Spaghetti Bolognese - 17.33%
9. Pasta - 16.87%
10. Gammon, egg and chips - 14.93%
11. Pizza - 14.13%
12. Chicken stir fry - 12.67%
13. Fish pie - 12.60%
14. Beans on toast - 12.07%
15. Lasagne - 12.07%
16. Chicken tikka masala - 8.67%
17. Spaghetti carbonara - 7.47%
18. Lamb rogan josh - 6.73%
19. Soup - 5.47%
20. Risotto - 5.47%
ENDS